U.S. patent number 11,325,274 [Application Number 17/116,741] was granted by the patent office on 2022-05-10 for food slicing disc with adjustable vertical and horizontal blades.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CONAIR LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is CONAIR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kin Man Lai, Anthony Kit Lun Leung.
United States Patent |
11,325,274 |
Leung , et al. |
May 10, 2022 |
Food slicing disc with adjustable vertical and horizontal
blades
Abstract
A slicing disc assembly includes a disc body having a top
surface, a bottom surface, a central hub, a circumferential edge, a
first opening in the disc body between the central hub and the
circumferential edge, and a second opening in the disc body between
the central hub and the circumferential edge, an adjustable
horizontal slicing blade associated with the first opening, the
horizontal slicing blade being moveable in a direction
perpendicular to the top surface of the disc body, and an
adjustable vertical blade assembly associated with the second
opening. The vertical blade assembly is moveable between a first
position where a slicing element of the vertical blade assembly is
located below a plane defined by the top surface of the disc body,
and a second position where the slicing element of the vertical
blade assembly extends above the plane.
Inventors: |
Leung; Anthony Kit Lun (North
Point, HK), Lai; Kin Man (New Territories,
HK) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CONAIR CORPORATION |
Stamford |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CONAIR LLC (Stamford,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005275150 |
Appl.
No.: |
17/116,741 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B26D
3/225 (20130101); B26D 1/03 (20130101); A47J
43/25 (20130101); B26D 7/2614 (20130101); B26D
1/0006 (20130101); B26D 1/29 (20130101); B26D
2210/02 (20130101); B26D 2001/0046 (20130101); B26D
2001/0053 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B26D
3/22 (20060101); A47J 43/25 (20060101); B26D
7/26 (20060101); B26D 1/00 (20060101); B26D
1/29 (20060101); B26D 1/03 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Michalski; Sean M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Grogan, Tuccillo & Vanderleeden
LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A rotatable slicing disc assembly for use with an electrically
powered food processor appliance, comprising: a disc body having a
top surface, a bottom surface, a central hub, a circumferential
edge, a first opening in the disc body between the central hub and
the circumferential edge, and a second opening in the disc body
between the central hub and the circumferential edge; an adjustable
horizontal slicing blade associated with the first opening, the
horizontal slicing blade being moveable in a direction
perpendicular to the top surface of the disc body to vary a gap
between the horizontal slicing blade and the top surface of the
disc body; and an adjustable vertical blade assembly associated
with the second opening, the vertical blade assembly being moveable
between a first position where a slicing element of the vertical
blade assembly is located below a plane defined by the top surface
of the disc body, and a second position where the slicing element
of the vertical blade assembly extends above the plane defined by
the top surface of the disc body.
2. The slicing disc assembly of claim 1, wherein: the horizontal
slicing blade and the vertical blade assembly are operatively
connected to one another such that movement of the horizontal
slicing blade with respect to the top surface of the disc body
causes a corresponding movement of the vertical blade assembly.
3. The slicing disc assembly of claim 1, wherein: the slicing
element includes a plurality of grating elements.
4. The slicing disc assembly of claim 1, wherein: the second
opening includes a plurality of slots; and wherein the slicing
element includes a plurality of blades corresponding to the
plurality of slots.
5. The slicing disc assembly of claim 4, wherein: the plurality of
blades are fixedly connected to a rotatable shaft mounted adjacent
to the bottom surface of the disc body; and wherein the vertical
blade assembly includes a lever connected to the rotatable shaft
for moving the vertical blade assembly between the first position
and the second position.
6. The slicing disc assembly of claim 5, wherein: the lever
includes a retention mechanism configured to retain the vertical
blade assembly in the first position and/or the second
position.
7. The slicing disc assembly of claim 1, wherein: the vertical
blade assembly includes a body portion having a first face having a
flat surface, and a second face having a first plurality of blades
extending perpendicularly from the second face.
8. The slicing disc assembly of claim 7, wherein: the body portion
is rotatable such that in the first position, the first face is in
registration with the second opening, and in the second portion,
the second face is in registration with the second opening.
9. The slicing disc assembly of claim 7, wherein: the body portion
includes a third face having a second plurality of blades extending
perpendicularly from the third face; wherein the first plurality of
blades are spaced from one another by a first distance; and wherein
the second plurality of blades are spaced from one another by a
second distance; wherein the first distance is less than the second
distance.
10. The slicing disc assembly of claim 9, wherein: the body portion
is rotatable to selectively position one of the first face, the
second face or the third face in registration with the opening to
provide for no vertical slicing of a food item, fine shredding of
the food item, or coarse shredding of the food item,
respectively.
11. The slicing disc assembly of claim 9, wherein: the body portion
includes a retention mechanism configured to maintain the body
portion in a selected rotational position.
12. The slicing disc assembly of claim 11, wherein: the retention
mechanism includes a spring-biased projection that is configured to
engage one of a plurality of recesses in a mounting bracket of the
vertical slicing assembly.
13. A method of operating a food processing device having a
collection container, a slicing disc received atop the collection
container, and a lid received atop the slicing disc, the method
comprising the steps of: adjusting a position of a horizontal
slicing blade associated with a first opening in the slicing disc
with respect to a plane defined by a top surface of the slicing
disc; and rotating a vertical slicing blade assembly associated
with a second opening in the slicing disc from a first position
where a slicing element of the vertical slicing blade assembly is
located below the plane defined by the top surface of the slicing
disc, and a second position where the slicing element of the
vertical slicing blade assembly extends above the plane defined by
the top surface of the slicing disc.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: the slicing element
includes a first plurality of blades spaced apart from one another
by a first distance; the vertical slicing blade assembly includes a
second slicing element having a second plurality of blades spaced
apart from one another by a second distance, the second distance
being greater than the first distance; and wherein the method
further includes the step of rotating the vertical slicing blade
assembly to a third position where the second slicing element and
the second plurality of blades thereof extend above the plane
defined by the top surface of the slicing disc.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: the first plurality
of blades are grating blade elements.
16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step
of: rotating the vertical slicing blade assembly from the first
position to the second position includes disengaging a detent
retention mechanism by depressing a lever of the vertical slicing
blade assembly in a radial direction of the slicing disc against a
spring bias.
17. The method according to claim 13, wherein: the step of
adjusting the position of the horizontal slicing blade causes a
corresponding and simultaneous movement of the vertical blade
assembly.
18. A rotatable slicing disc assembly for use with an electrically
powered food processor appliance, comprising: a disc body having a
top surface, a bottom surface, a central hub, a circumferential
edge, a first opening in the disc body between the central hub and
the circumferential edge, and a second opening in the disc body
between the central hub and the circumferential edge; an adjustable
horizontal slicing blade associated with the first opening, the
horizontal slicing blade being moveable in a direction
perpendicular to the top surface of the disc body to vary a gap
between the horizontal slicing blade and the top surface of the
disc body; and an adjustable vertical blade assembly associated
with the second opening, the vertical blade assembly being moveable
between a first position where a flat surface of the vertical blade
assembly is in registration with the second opening to provide for
only horizontal slicing of a food item, a second position where a
plurality of coarse shredding elements of the vertical blade
assembly are in registration with the second opening and extend
therethrough and above the top surface of the disc body to provide
for coarse shredding of the food item, and a third position where a
plurality of fine shredding elements of the vertical blade assembly
are in registration with the second opening and extend therethrough
and above the top surface of the disc body to provide for fine
shredding of the food item.
19. The slicing disc assembly of claim 18, wherein: the vertical
blade assembly includes a retention mechanism configured to
maintain the vertical blade assembly in the first position, second
position or third position.
20. The slicing disc assembly of claim 19, wherein: the retention
mechanism includes a spring-biased projection that is configured to
engage one of a plurality of recesses in a mounting bracket of the
vertical slicing assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to food processing devices
and, more particularly, to a food slicing disc for a food
processing device for slicing and shredding food items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of food processors are known, many of which generally
include a base housing an electric motor, a drive system, a
rotatably driven blade, a bowl, a lid, a feed chute, and a food
pusher. The feed chute allows food item to be introduced into the
bowl while the lid engages the bowl and while the blade is
rotating. This contains sliced food product inside the bowl and
prevents user's hands from entering the bowl while the device is
operating, since the chute is sized so that a user's hand cannot
fit through it.
While the rotatably driven blade may be in any one of various known
forms, a common form is a flat disc that has a radially extending
gap of which the edge leading toward the rotational direction forms
a blade that is used to cut or slice food product. The leading edge
is off-set from the plane of the rest of the disc by a distance
that defines a slice thickness. Certain existing slicing discs for
such food processors may have a mechanism that allows for the space
or gap between the leading edge of the blade and the plane of the
disc to be selectively adjusted, allowing for the thickness of
slices of food items to be varied.
While these existing food processing devices, and slicing discs
therefor, are generally suitable for what is regarded as ordinary
performance, there is room for improvement in terms of ease of use
and expanded functionality. In particular, there is a need for a
slicing disc for a food processor having adjustable vertical and
horizontal blades for slicing, grating and/or chopping food
items.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a food slicing
disc for a food processor.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a food
slicing disc that has both horizontal and vertical slicing blades
for creating both horizontal and vertical slices through food
items.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a food
slicing disc for a food processor having a horizontal slicing blade
that is adjustable to selectively vary slice thickness.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a food
slicing disc for a food processor having a vertical slicing blade
that can be selectively deployed and retracted.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a rotatable
slicing disc assembly for use with an electrically powered food
processor appliance is provided. The slicing disc assembly includes
a disc body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a central hub,
a circumferential edge, a first opening in the disc body between
the central hub and the circumferential edge, and a second opening
in the disc body between the central hub and the circumferential
edge, an adjustable horizontal slicing blade associated with the
first opening, the horizontal slicing blade being moveable in a
direction perpendicular to the top surface of the disc body to vary
a gap between the horizontal slicing blade and the top surface of
the disc body, and an adjustable vertical blade assembly associated
with the second opening. The vertical blade assembly is moveable
between a first position where a slicing element of the vertical
blade assembly is located below a plane defined by the top surface
of the disc body, and a second position where the slicing element
of the vertical blade assembly extends above the plane defined by
the top surface of the disc body.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method
of operating a food processing device having a collection
container, a slicing disc received atop the collection container,
and a lid received atop the slicing disc is provided. The method
includes the steps of adjusting a position of a horizontal slicing
blade associated with a first opening in the slicing disc with
respect to a plane defined by a top surface of the slicing disc,
and rotating a vertical slicing blade assembly associated with a
second opening in the slicing disc from a first position where a
slicing element of the vertical slicing blade assembly is located
below the plane defined by the top surface of the slicing disc, and
a second position where the slicing element of the vertical slicing
blade assembly extends above the plane defined by the top surface
of the slicing disc.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a
rotatable slicing disc assembly for use with an electrically
powered food processor appliance is provided. The slicing disc
assembly includes a disc body having a top surface, a bottom
surface, a central hub, a circumferential edge, a first opening in
the disc body between the central hub and the circumferential edge,
and a second opening in the disc body between the central hub and
the circumferential edge, an adjustable horizontal slicing blade
associated with the first opening, the horizontal slicing blade
being moveable in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of
the disc body to vary a gap between the horizontal slicing blade
and the top surface of the disc body, and an adjustable vertical
blade assembly associated with the second opening. The vertical
blade assembly is moveable between a first position where a flat
surface of the vertical blade assembly is in registration with the
second opening to provide for only horizontal slicing of a food
item, a second position where a plurality of coarse shredding
elements of the vertical blade assembly are in registration with
the second opening and extend therethrough and above the top
surface of the disc body to provide for coarse shredding of the
food item, and a third position where a plurality of fine shredding
elements of the vertical blade assembly are in registration with
the second opening and extend therethrough and above the top
surface of the disc body to provide for fine shredding of the food
item.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be better understood from reading the
following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference
to the attached drawings, wherein below:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a food slicing disc for a food
processing device, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, shown in a storage position.
FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the food slicing disc of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is another top perspective view of the food slicing disc of
FIG. 1, shown in a slicing position.
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the food slicing disc of FIG.
1, shown in a shredding position.
FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of the food slicing disc of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of horizontal and vertical
blade assembly of the food slicing disc of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a bottom, perspective view of the food slicing disc of
FIG. 1, illustrating an actuator of the vertical blade assembly in
a retracted position.
FIG. 8 is a bottom, perspective view of the food slicing disc of
FIG. 1, illustrating the actuator of the vertical blade assembly in
an extended position.
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the food slicing disc
of FIG. 1, shown the vertical blade assembly in the retracted
position.
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the food slicing disc
of FIG. 1, shown the vertical blade assembly in the extended
position.
FIG. 11 is another partial cross-sectional view of the food slicing
disc of FIG. 1, shown the vertical blade assembly in the retracted
position.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged, detail view of an actuator lever of the
vertical blade assembly.
FIG. 13 is another partial cross-sectional view of the food slicing
disc of FIG. 1, shown the vertical blade assembly in the extended
position.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the vertical blade assembly of the
food slicing disc of FIG. 1.
FIG. 15 is another perspective view of the vertical blade assembly
of the food slicing disc of FIG. 1.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the food slicing disc of FIG.
1, illustrating the vertical blade assembly in cross-section.
FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a food slicing disc for a food
processing device, according to another embodiment of the present
invention, showing a shredding assembly in a retracted
position.
FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the food slicing disc of FIG.
17, showing the shredding blade assembly in a deployed
position.
FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the food slicing disc of
FIG. 17, showing the shredding blade assembly in the deployed
position.
FIG. 20 is another bottom perspective view of the food slicing disc
of FIG. 17, showing the shredding blade assembly in the retracted
position.
FIG. 21 is another bottom perspective view of the food slicing disc
of FIG. 17, showing the shredding blade assembly in the deployed
position.
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the shredding blade assembly of
the food slicing disc of FIG. 17.
FIG. 23 is another perspective view of the shredding blade assembly
of the food slicing disc of FIG. 17.
FIG. 24 is yet another perspective view of the shredding blade
assembly of the food slicing disc of FIG. 17.
FIG. 25 is a top perspective view of a food slicing disc for a food
processing device, according to another embodiment of the present
invention, showing a vertical blade assembly thereof in a retracted
position.
FIG. 26 is a top perspective view of the food slicing disc of FIG.
25, showing the vertical assembly in an extended position.
FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective view of the food slicing disc of
FIG. 25, showing the vertical assembly in the retracted
position.
FIG. 28 is a bottom perspective view of the food slicing disc of
FIG. 25, showing the vertical assembly in the extended
position.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the vertical blade assembly of the
food slicing disc of FIG. 25.
FIG. 30 is another perspective view of the vertical blade assembly
of the food slicing disc of FIG. 25.
FIG. 31 is a top perspective view of a food slicing disc for a food
processing device, according to another embodiment of the present
invention, showing a vertical blade assembly thereof in a retracted
position.
FIG. 32 is a top perspective view of the food slicing disc of FIG.
31, showing the vertical blade assembly in a fine slicing
position.
FIG. 33 is a top perspective view of the food slicing disc of FIG.
31, showing the vertical blade assembly in a coarse slicing
position.
FIG. 34 is a bottom perspective view of the food slicing disc of
FIG. 31, showing the vertical assembly in the retracted
position.
FIG. 35 is a bottom perspective view of the food slicing disc of
FIG. 31, showing the vertical blade assembly in the fine slicing
position.
FIG. 36 is a bottom perspective view of the food slicing disc of
FIG. 31, showing the vertical blade assembly in the coarse slicing
position.
FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the food slicing disc of FIG.
31.
FIG. 38 is an exploded, perspective view of the food slicing disc
of FIG. 31.
FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the vertical blade assembly of the
food slicing disc of FIG. 31.
FIG. 40 is another perspective view of the vertical blade assembly
of the food slicing disc of FIG. 31.
FIG. 41 is an end elevational view of the vertical blade assembly
of the food slicing disc of FIG. 31.
FIG. 42 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the food
slicing disc of FIG. 31.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a rotatable food slicing disc 10 according
to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The
slicing disc 10 is configured for use in a food processor (not
shown) and includes a generally flat disc body 12 having a radially
extending gap 14 formed therein and extending generally from a
central hub 16 to a circumferential edge 18. The gap 14 may have a
slightly arcuate shape to optimize cutting edge performance. A
cutting or slicing blade 20 having a cutting edge 22 is attached to
a blade support arm 24 which is formed unitarily with a support hub
16, and is configured to cut food items horizontally. Preferably,
the cutting edge 22 is curved or arcuate to optimize
cutting/slicing performance.
In an embodiment, the food slicing disc 10 includes a mechanism for
selectively adjusting the spacing between the cutting edge 22 and
the disc body 12, to allow for adjustment of the thickness of
slices of food items. For example, in an embodiment, the adjustment
mechanism may be that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,602,335, which
is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In
particular, in an embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 1-6, the support
hub 16 is telescopically received inside of a hub collar 25. A
plurality of disc support arms 26 extend radially out from the hub
collar 24 and support the disc body 12. The support hub 16 has a
proximal end 28 about which an adjusting sleeve 30 is mounted. The
sleeve 30 may have ribs 32 for enhanced gripping by a user's
hand.
The proximal end 28 and the sleeve 30 adjustably interface with
each other via threads 36, 38 or other known means so that they may
be longitudinally adjusted relative to each other such that
rotating the sleeve 30 advances the support hub 16 and, thus, the
attached blade 20 in a longitudinal direction relative to the disc
body 12 in order to selectively adjust slicing width. For example,
preferably the sleeve 30 has internal threads 38 and the proximal
end 28 of the hub 16 has external threads 36, so that rotation of
the sleeve 30 relative to the hub 16 will cause the hub 16 to move
linearly toward or away from the sleeve 30, depending on direction
of rotation. This facilitates adjustment of the position of the
cutting edge 22 in a plane generally parallel to the disc body 12.
This results in adjusting thickness of slicing of food products by
the cutting edge 22. A torque transmitting opening 40 is provided
for mounting the disc assembly to a rotatable output shaft of a
motor of a food processor, as is known in the art.
With further reference to FIGS. 1-6, in an embodiment, in addition
to having a horizontal slicing blade and a mechanism for adjusting
the vertical position of such blade with respect to the disc body
12 to allow slice thickness to be adjusted, the food slicing disc
10 also includes a vertical blade assembly 50 that is moveable
between a retracted position where a plurality of vertical slicing
blades are positioned below the top surface of the flat disc body
12, and an extended position where the plurality of vertical
slicing blades extend through the disc body 12 and upwardly
therefrom to make vertical cuts through food items, as discussed in
detail hereinafter. As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 14
and 15, the vertical blade assembly 50 includes a plurality of
horizontally-spaced blades 52 fixedly mounted to a rotatable shaft
54. For example, in an embodiment, each of the blades 52 may have a
mounting aperture 56, and the shaft 54 is configured or keyed so as
to receive each of the blades 52, via the respective mounting
apertures 56, in spaced relationship thereon. Importantly, the
mounting apertures 56 and shaft 54 are configured such that the
shaft 54 is not able to rotate relative to the blades 52, but
rather that the blades 52 are maintained in fixed position on the
shaft 54 so as to be rotatable therewith about a rotational axis of
the shaft 54. The vertical blade assembly 50 further includes a
lever 58 fixedly mounted to the shaft 54 (e.g., at a general
midpoint thereof), which enables rotation of the shaft 54 using the
lever 58, as described hereinafter. The vertical blade assembly 50
also includes a limit screw 60 mounted to the shaft 54, which
functions to limit the degree of rotation of the shaft 54.
In an embodiment, the vertical blade assembly 50 further includes a
housing 62 fixedly connected to the central hub 16 and extending
radially therefrom opposite the horizontal slicing blade 20. As
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in an embodiment, the housing 62 is
generally semi-circular in cross-section, having an arcuate
underside surface and a generally planar top surface having a
plurality of slots 64 formed therein corresponding to the plurality
of blades 52.
Referring back to FIGS. 1-5, the disc body 12 further includes a
plurality of slots 66 that are aligned with the slots 64 in the
housing 62 of the vertical blade assembly 50, which allow the
blades 52 to be extended through the disc body 12 in the manner
described hereinafter. Importantly, both the vertical blade
assembly 50 and the horizontal slicing blade 20 are fixedly
connected to the central hub, such that vertical adjustment of the
horizontal slicing blade 20 relative to the disc body 12 also
effects a corresponding vertical adjustment of the vertical blade
assembly 50 relative to the disc body. In addition, the length of
the blades 52 is such that they extend upward from the disc body 12
(when in the extended position) to an extent that is greater than
the vertical space between the horizontal slicing blade 20 and disc
body 12 (for all positions of the horizontal slicing blade 20).
This ensures that the vertical slicing blades 52 are able to cut
through the entire thickness of the slices of food items produced
by the horizontal slicing blade 20.
Referring back to FIGS. 1-3 and 9, the vertical blade assembly 50
is shown in a storage or retracted position where the shaft 54 is
rotated to a position such that the vertical slicing blades 52 are
positioned within the housing 62 and do not extend through slots 64
in the housing 62 or slots 66 in the disc body 12. As shown in FIG.
7, to move the vertical blade assembly 50 to its extended or
deployed position, the lever 58 is moved in the direction indicated
by the arrow, which rotates the connected shaft 52 and thus the
blades 52 to a position where they extend vertically from the
housing 62 and through the slots 66 in the disc body 12 (as shown
in FIGS. 4, 10, 13 and 16). To retract the blades 52, the lever 58
is rotated in the opposite direction, as indicated by the arrow in
FIG. 8. This movement effects a corresponding rotational movement
of the shaft 54 and connected blades 52, so that they are rotated
back into the housing 62 beneath the plane of the disc body 12.
As shown in FIG. 12, in an embodiment, the lever 58 may include a
projection 68 that is designed to engage one of two corresponding
retaining features 70, 72 (e.g., grooves) formed in the housing 62.
This retaining mechanism functions to retain the shaft 54 and
blades 52 in the retracted or extended position, respectively. The
blade assembly 50 can be easily moved out of these positions by
exerting a sufficient rotational force on the lever 58, as shown in
FIG. 11, such that the projection 68 is disengaged from the
corresponding retaining feature 70, 72, respectively.
In operation, the vertical position of the horizontal blade 20 can
be adjusted using the sleeve 30 to adjust the slice thickness of
food items sliced by blade 20. At the same time, the vertical blade
assembly 50 and blades 52 thereof can be retracted to produce only
horizontal slices of food items of a desired thickness, or extended
and used in combination with the horizontal slicing blade 20 to
vertically slice the food items to produce julienne or shredded
strips of food items. Importantly, the vertical blades 52 are so
located, and the direction of rotation is such that the vertical
blades 52 first slice the food items vertically, and the horizontal
slicing blade 20 then slices the food items horizontally, to
produce thin strips of food.
Referring now to FIGS. 17-24, a rotatable food slicing disc 100
according to another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated. The food slicing disc 100 is generally similar to
slicing disc 10, where like reference numerals designate like
parts. In particular, similar to slicing disc 10, slicing disc 100
includes an horizontal slicing blade 20 that is adjustable using
sleeve 30 to vary the horizontal slice thickness of food items. The
slicing disc 100 also includes a shredding or grating assembly 150
that is moveable between an extended or deployed position where a
shredding surface is positioned to shred a food item, and a
retracted position where the shredding surface is moved to a
position where it is not capable of interacting with a food
item.
As shown therein, in an embodiment, the shredding assembly 150
includes a generally triangularly-shaped body 152 having
rectangular-shaped sides defining a first outwardly facing flat
surface 154 and a second outwardly facing shredding surface 156
having a plurality of arcuate shredding knives or elements 158
extending upwardly therefrom. A third side of the body defines a
rectangular opening 160 that allows food shredded by blades 158 to
fall into a processing container within which the food slicing disc
100 is positioned. As best shown in FIG. 22, the shredding assembly
150 further includes a pair of opposed mounting pins 162 or axles
extending from opposed ends thereof about which the body 122 may
rotate, as discussed hereinafter. The body 152 also includes a
lever 164 that can be manipulated by a user to rotate the body 152
about an axis defined by the mounting pin 162, as well as a
position stop in the form of a projection 166 at one end of the
body 152 for limiting rotation of the body 152, as discussed in
detail hereinafter.
With reference to FIGS. 17-21, the disc body 12 is formed with an
opening 168 that corresponds in size and shape to the sides of the
body 152 of the shredding assembly 150. In an embodiment, the
opening 168 is rectangular and is positioned opposite opening 14
with which the horizontal slicing blade 20 is associated. The
grating assembly 150 further includes at least one, and preferably
a pair of, opposed mounting brackets 170 affixed to the underside
surface of the disc body 12, to which the body 152 is rotatably
coupled. In particular, the opposed mounting pins 162 may be
received in corresponding openings in the mounting brackets 170,
for rotation of the body 152 about an axis extending through the
mounting pins 162. As best shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, in an
embodiment, the mounting bracket 170 includes opposed seats 172,
174 that are configured to receive the position stop 166 to limit
rotation of the body 152.
As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 20, in use, the horizontal slicing
disc may be adjusted to slice food items to a desired thickness, in
the manner described above. In such a horizontal slicing mode of
operation, the body 152 of the shredding assembly 150 is rotated
about the mounting pins 162 to a position where the flat surface
154 of the body is in registration with the opening 168 in the disc
body 12. In this position, projection 166 is seated within seat
174, ensuring that the flat surface 154 remains aligned with the
opening 169 in the disc body 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 18-21, in
order to shred or grate food items, the horizontal slicing blade 20
is adjusted using sleeve 30 so that it is generally coplanar with
the disc body 12 so that the edge 22 does not act on food items.
The body 152 is then rotated using lever 164 until the position
stop 166 contacts seat 172. In this position, the shredding or
grating surface 156 of the body 152 faces upwardly and is
positioned within the opening 168 ion the disc body 12. In this
position, the shredding or grating elements 158 grate or shred food
items as the disc body 12 is rotated.
Referring now to FIGS. 25-30, a rotatable food slicing disc 200
according to another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated. The food slicing disc 200 is generally similar to
slicing disc 10, where like reference numerals designate like
parts. In particular, similar to slicing disc 10, slicing disc 200
includes an horizontal slicing blade 20 that is adjustable using
sleeve 30 to vary the horizontal slice thickness of food items, as
well as a vertical blade assembly 250 that is moveable between a
retracted position where a plurality of vertical slicing blades are
positioned below the top surface of the flat disc body 12, and an
extended position where the plurality of vertical slicing blades
extend through the disc body 12 and upwardly therefrom to make
vertical cuts through food items, as discussed in detail
hereinafter.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30, the vertical blade assembly
250 includes a generally rectangular-shaped body portion 252 and a
plurality of horizontally-spaced blades 254 extending from one face
of the body portion 252. As shown in FIG. 29, in an embodiment, the
blades 254 are aligned along a lower edge of the body portion. The
vertical blade assembly 250 also includes a pair of projections 256
extending from opposed lateral sides of the body portion 252
adjacent to the upper edge of the body portion 252, and which
define a rotational axis of the vertical blade assembly 250, as
discussed hereinafter. Still further, the vertical blade assembly
250 also includes a lever 258 in the form of a tab that extends
from a lower edge of the body portion 252, and which is used to
rotate the vertical blade assembly 250 about the axis extending
through the projections 256.
As best shown in FIG. 27, the vertical blade assembly 250 further
includes at least one, and preferably a pair of, opposed mounting
brackets 270 affixed to the underside surface of the disc body 12,
to which the body portion 252 of the vertical blade assembly 250 is
rotatably coupled. In particular, the opposed mounting pins or
projections 256 may be received in corresponding openings in the
mounting brackets 270, for rotation of the body 252 about an axis
extending through the mounting pins 256.
In use, the body portion 252 of the vertical blade assembly 250, by
using the lever 258, is selectively rotatable about the projections
256 between a first position, where the vertical blades 254 do not
extend through the slots 266 in the disc body 12 (FIGS. 25 and 27),
and a second position, where the vertical blades 254 extend through
the disc body 12 to vertically slice or shred food items (FIGS. 26
and 28). With reference to FIGS. 27-29, in an embodiment, the body
portion 252 of the vertical blade assembly 250 also includes a
retention mechanism, in the form of a pin or convex projection 264
located along the lower edge of the body portion 252. The retention
projection 264 is configured to frictionally engage a corresponding
groove or seat 268 in one of the support arms 26 attached to the
underside of the disc body 12 to retain the vertical blade assembly
250 in the extended position. Once in the extended position, the
blade assembly 250 can be easily disengaged (and moved to the
retracted position), by exerting a rotational force using the lever
258 sufficient to overcome the frictional engagement between the
pin 264 and the seat 268.
Similar to the embodiments disclosed above, there food slicing disc
can be utilized to produced horizontal slices of food items of
various thickness using the adjustable, horizontal slicing blade
20, as well as to julienne or shred good items using the adjustable
vertical blade assembly 250 in combination with the horizontal
slicing blade 20.
Referring now to FIGS. 31-42, a rotatable food slicing disc 300
according to another embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated. The food slicing disc 300 is generally similar to
slicing discs 10 and 100, where like reference numerals designate
like parts. In particular, similar to slicing discs 10, 100 slicing
disc 300 includes an horizontal slicing blade 20 that is adjustable
using sleeve 30 to vary the horizontal slice thickness of food
items. The slicing disc 300 also includes a vertical blade assembly
350 that is moveable between a retracted position where vertical
slicing blades of the assembly 350 are moved to a position where
they are not capable of interacting with a food item, and one or
more deployed or extended position where the blades are positioned
so as to create vertical slices in a food item, as discussed
hereinafter.
As best shown in FIGS. 38-41, the vertical blade assembly 350
includes a generally triangularly-shaped body portion 352 having
rectangular-shaped sides defining a first outwardly facing flat
surface 354, a second outwardly facing surface 356 having a first
array of horizontally-spaced, vertical slicing blades 358 extending
therefrom, and a third outwardly facing surface 360 having a second
array of horizontally-spaced, vertical slicing blades 362 extending
therefrom. In an embodiment, the plurality of blades 358 of the
first array are relatively closely spaced from one another, for the
fine shredding of food items, as discussed below. In contrast, the
plurality of blades 362 of the second array are relatively widely
spaced from one another (at least compared to the spacing of the
blades 358), for the coarse shredding of food items, as discussed
below.
As also shown therein, the body portion 352 includes a pair of
opposed mounting pins 364 or axles extending from opposed ends
thereof about which the body portion 352 may rotate, as discussed
hereinafter. The body portion 352 also includes a lever 366 that is
fixedly connected to one of the mounting pins 364 that can be
manipulated by a user to rotate the body portion 352 about an axis
defined by the mounting pin 364, as well as a position stop in the
form of a projection or detent 368 at one end of the body portion
352. Importantly, in an embodiment, the mounting pin 364 with which
the lever 366 is associated is slidably connected to the body
portion 352 and includes a compression spring or coil spring 365.
Accordingly, the mounting pin 364 and lever 366 are moveable
axially inward against the bias of the spring 365, the purpose of
which is discussed hereinafter.
With reference to FIG. 38, the disc body 12 is formed with an
opening 370 that corresponds in size and shape to the sides of the
body portion 352 of the vertical blade assembly 350. In an
embodiment, the opening 370 is rectangular and is positioned
opposite opening 14 with which the horizontal slicing blade 20 is
associated. The vertical blade assembly 350 further includes at
least one, and preferably a pair of, opposed mounting brackets 372
having an aperture 374 forming a cradle within which the opposed
mounting pins 364 are rotatably mounted. The mounting brackets 372
are fixedly secured to the underside surface of the disc body 12.
In particular, the opposed mounting pins 364 may be received in
corresponding openings 374 in the mounting brackets 372, for
mounting of the body portion 352 to the disc body 12, and for
rotation of the body portion 352 about an axis extending through
the mounting pins 364.
In operation, the slicing disc 20 is adjustable to vary the slice
thickness of food items, in the manner described above. In
addition, the vertical blade assembly 350 is rotatable using lever
366 to selectively position either the flat side 354, fine
shredding side 356, or coarse shredding side 360 of the vertical
slicing assembly body portion 352 in alignment with the opening 370
in the disc body 12. Importantly, the outboard mounting bracket 364
includes three locating apertures 376, 378, 380 corresponding to
the three positions of the body 362 with respect to the opening 370
in the disc body 12. The locating apertures 376, 378, 380 are
configured to receive the detent 368 to retain the body portion 352
in the desired slicing/shredding (or non-shredding) position.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 34, the body portion 352 is
rotatable, using lever 366, to a first position where the flat side
surface 354 of the body is in registration with the opening 370. In
this position, the detent or projection 368 is received in
locating/retaining aperture 378, which retains the rotational
position of the body portion 352. In such position, the horizontal
slicing blade 20 slices food items horizontally. As the flat
surface 354 of the vertical blade assembly 350 faces the opening
370 in the disc body 12, vertical slicing is not carried out.
To coarsely shred food items, the body portion 352 is rotated so
that the coarse shredding surface 360 is aligned with the opening
370 in the disc body 12, and so that the coarse shredding blades
362 extend upwardly through the opening 370 and above the upper
surface of the disc body 12. This is accomplished by pushing the
lever 366 axially inward against the bias of the spring 365 to
unseat the projection 368 from the aperture/recess 378, and then
rotating the body portion 352 using the lever 366. When the coarse
shredding position is reached, the lever 366 can be released,
causing the spring 365 to bias the projection 368 radially outward
and into aperture/recess 380. This engagement between the
projection 368 and recess 380 retains the vertical blade assembly
350 in the coarse shredding position. In this position, the blades
362 function to slice a food item vertically, and then the
horizontal slicing blade 20 functions to slice the food item
horizontally, causing the strips or shreds of food items to fall
through opening 14 into a processing container within which the
food slicing blade 300 is positioned.
To finely shred food items, the body portion 352 is rotated so that
the fine shredding surface 356 is aligned with the opening 370 in
the disc body 12, and so that the fine shredding blades 358 extend
upwardly through the opening 370 and above the upper surface of the
disc body 12. This is accomplished by pushing the lever 366 axially
inward against the bias of the spring 365 to unseat the projection
368 from the aperture/recess 380, and then rotating the body
portion 352 using the lever 366. When the fine shredding position
is reached, the lever 366 can be released, causing the spring 365
to bias the projection 368 radially outward and into
aperture/recess 376. This engagement between the projection 368 and
recess 376 retains the vertical blade assembly 350 in the fine
shredding position. In this position, the blades 358 function to
slice a food item vertically, and then the horizontal slicing blade
20 functions to slice the food item horizontally, causing the
strips or shreds of food items to fall through opening 14 into a
processing container within which the food slicing blade 300 is
positioned.
While the vertical slicing assembly 300 has been described as
having a body portion 352 of a triangular shape and having three
sides (and two different vertical slicing blade arrangements, for
coarse shredding and fine shredding, respectively), the present
invention is not intended to be so limited in this regard. In
particular, the body portion 352 may have more than three sides
having various blade and/or grating element arrangements to provide
for an increased level of control over the slicing/grating
operation (to provide different levels of fineness or coarseness).
In addition, it is contemplated that the body portion 352 may have
both a vertical slicing face (with upstanding vertical slicing
blades), as well as a grating face.
The embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein therefore
provide a food slicing disc having an adjustable horizontal slicing
blade and an adjustable vertical slicing blade assembly for
processing of food items in a variety of manners. By providing
adjustable horizontal and vertical slicing blades, slice thickness
can be varied, as can the width of julienne slices or gratings
produced. The present invention therefore provides for a level of
control over the processing operations heretofore not seen in the
art.
Although this invention has been shown and described with respect
to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
of skill in the art that various changes may be made and
equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without
departing from the scope of the invention. In addition,
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the teachings of the invention without departing from
the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in
the above detailed description, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of this disclosure.
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